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Bobby Bowden has a message for Florida State QB Jameis Winston: ‘Learn from your mistakes’

PALM BEACH GARDENS – Bobby Bowden has never met Jameis Winston but he said he reads everything he can about the Seminoles’ sophomore quarterback. So he’s well versed on Winston’s success and his missteps.

“We had some dadgum good quarterbacks during my career,” Bowden said. “And I would say he got a better start than any of them. I didn’t have any who won a Heisman their first year or won a national championship their first year.

“He’s got a great start. I’ve never met him but my word from him would be. … Learn from your mistakes. Learn. From. Your. Mistakes.”

Bowden handed over the program to Jimbo Fisher following the 2009 season after 33 consecutive winning seasons, two national titles and 389 victories on the field (12 wins were taken away due to NCAA sanctions against FSU). The Seminoles were 7-6 in three of his final four years, winning 30 games during that stretch. Fisher is 45-10 his first four years.

“I can’t believe how fast Jimbo got them back up there,” Bowden said. “We had our great runs through the years and then Jimbo comes and puts them right back to the very top. Not in the top bracket, he puts them up there at No. 1. And right now they’re still No. 1.”

The NCAA recognizes Bowden as the all-time winningest coach among major schools with a 377-129-4 record. He moved into the top spot after former Penn State coach Joe Paterno was stripped of 111 wins following the Jerry Sandusky scandal, leaving Paterno was a record of 298-136-3. Bowden is uncomfortable with the honor and believes his record and that of Paterno should reflect all the games they won on the field.

“I would like to see him get his (111) back,” Bowden said. “Every time I go somewhere they introduce (me as), ‘this is the winningest coach ever.’